Part of building the VIRIS BRAND in New Zealand will be to support local talent across New Zealand. We are proud to introduce you to these legends who will be representing the brand across New Zealand.
Ellie Hulsebosch
Ellie first started riding with her younger brother at the age of 10. Ever since then she gravitated to anything that had two wheels and allowed her to go fast and have fun. Motocross kicked started these two-wheeled obsessions and then somehow it led to picking up a bike and then competing in what she reckons is the most awesome sport, mountain biking.
Ellie loves the mountain bike racing scene in New Zealand, because of the awesome atmosphere and supportive community which just makes it even more fun to go racing. It's the feeling of adrenaline that keeps bringing her back for more “in between the tape is where I have the most fun because of the insane adrenaline rush that you get like no other and being able to challenge myself”.
Finn Hawkesby-Brown
Finn got into the sport through his parents who were keen bikers. His addiction of racing was fostered at a young age where he started BMX racing at the local club in Hornby, Christchurch. After competing in BMX at the local for a few years he took those skills to mountain biking where the freedom of downhill riding took over. For Finn it was a simple equation where the fun he was having on the mountain bike overshadowed everything else. Gravity Canterbury club races and shuttle days were where Finn got the downhill bug, and the rest is history. This combination of skills built up from a young age means he is right at home on the gnarliest dirt jumps, but he’s also a chill guy who loves a trail ride with his mates.
Finn chases Downhill racing all over the world “for the feeling of a flow state that I can only get while racing”. Finn is all about having fun on his bike and it shows. When he’s doing that, he is one of New Zealand’s fastest and most stylish gravity riders.
Angus Ferguson
Angus is relatively fresh to the New Zealand gravity riding scene. He started riding mountain bikes in 2020 when his mates from boarding school introduced him to the bike park. From there he just fell in love with the rush he got from progressing to bigger and harder trail features. This led him into racing local club series Downhill and Enduro where his competitive spirits took over. Angus reckons “the best part about racing downhill in New Zealand is the community, where your closest competition is still your mates, and everyone is always keen to help each other out.”
Vince the Viris Kiwi
Adding Vince to the team was a clear no brainer for us at VIRIS NZ. Vince is very new to the mountain bike scene in New Zealand and is no doubt the undisputed underdog of our NZ rider line up. Questions will be asked as to why he even gets a chance to represent for VIRIS in NZ. But what really makes him stand out is his confidence on the bike which sits slightly above his skill level. This provides a lot of entertainment for those who do manage to catch a glimpse of him on the hill.
Unlike most kiwis this guy loves to fly. You will find it hard to spot Vince out in the wild as he keeps strictly to his preferred nocturnal ridding ours, but if you do you will no doubt find him out at 440 MTB Park hitting lap after lap on his favorite trail “pretty fly”. Vince keeps it real as a strictly flat pedals rider. His life mantra is “flat pedals win medals” and he lives by this rule unapologetically. Keep your eyes out for Vince and his signature loose riding style this year.
We can’t wait to see where these legends take things next. We are stoked to be along for the ride with them.
Follow the crew!
Finn HB: https://www.instagram.com/finnhb/
Ellie: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_hulsebosch/